Knowledge transfer and innovation network on the example of the EU-project TECH.FOOD

The project “Tech.Food - Solutions and interventions for the technological transfer and the innovation of the agro-food sector in South East regions†was running in the framework of the EU-South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It aimed at setting up a transnational network for building links among enterprises and research bodies of a wide area. It represented an opportunity to improve the partner’s institutional capacity to be effective in promoting innovation. The direct involvement of enterprises represented transnationality, concurring to create innovation and internationalization opportunities to local productive systems. Partners of eight countries under coordination of an Italian lead partner implemented the project ideas of elaborating regional profiles of needs and weaknesses concerning research, development and innovation of the agro-food sector. Transnational networks, technological transfer nodes, technical focus groups as well as best-experience data base and tool development for raising the innovation potential should contribute to the project aims.